Magnolia

R

Released Jan 7, 2000

3h 8m

Drama

List

82%

Tomatometer

217 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

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Critics Consensus

An eruption of feeling that's as overwhelming as it is overwrought, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia reaches a fevered crescendo and sustains it thanks to its fearlessly committed ensemble.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Magnolia is operatic in its ambition, a great, joyous leap into melodrama and coincidence, with ragged emotions, crimes and punishments, deathbed scenes, romantic dreams, generational turmoil and celestial intervention, all scored to insistent music.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Ann Hornaday

Baltimore Sun

While not as fully realized as Anderson's last movie, Boogie Nights, Magnolia is filmed with the same skillful abandon, and takes many more artistic risks... The result is a movie as fascinating for its flaws as for its considerable successes.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Rita Kempley

Washington Post

Magnolia, Paul Thomas Anderson's frenzied follow-up to Boogie Nights, can be as intoxicating as the flower it's named for, and its characters, most of them as flawed and fascinating as the film itself, seem intoxicated by the overpowering scent.

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Philip Bagnall

Loud and Clear Reviews

Magnolia is an extraordinary film about ordinary lives.

Sep 19, 2024

Full Review

Robert Denerstein

Denver Rocky Mountain News

Anderson has dared to make a movie that refuses to conceal its excesses, an amazing abundance of strong emotion, technical verve and pure performance power.

Rated: A-

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

George M. Thomas

Akron Beacon Journal

It's a film of power, substance and superlative performances that challenges audiences. Hopefully, audiences will be up to taking that challenge.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

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julie b

This was an intense experience. I genuinely had no idea where this was going for most of it, such an original plot that captivated me right from the start. The incredibly emotional performances, the v strong themes, the suspense that builds up to a point of unravel - and once the unraveling begins, EVERYONE and everything breaks down. Even with all the different side plots, every scene moved so seamlessly. I could say more but I won’t so I don’t spoil it. Also, somehow it felt like Tom Cruise was playing Tom Cruise??

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

Priyan B

Boring and too hard to follow.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/24

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Audience Member

On of the greatest movies of all time. Legendary and perfect.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

Full Review

Joseph L

Simply put this is in my top 20 films of all time. A terrific ensemble cast go there and more.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

Full Review

Christian K

Crazy good stuff throughout from everyone, all synced to the highest level by PTA.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/20/24

Full Review

Nathan W

Not a perfect film, but it comes pretty darn close. A simple concept at its core... We follow the lives of several different, but loosely connected, people as they deal with their unique problems over the course of a day. I found it to be engaging, relatable, and immensely entertaining. This movie did not shy away from some of the darker aspects of human nature and really took the audience for an emotional ride. I thought it was filmed beautifully. There were a number of scenes with long takes that went on for minutes at a time. There were several standout performances from its immense pool of acting talent . Most notably, Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julianne Moore. Just a brilliant film with great acting, and even better storytelling, that felt much shorter than its runtime.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/07/24

Full Review

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Jason Robards

Earl Partridge

Julianne Moore

Linda Partridge

Tom Cruise

Frank T.J. Mackey

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Phil Parma

John C. Reilly

Jim Kurring

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Synopsis

On one random day in the San Fernando Valley, a dying father, a young wife, a male caretaker, a famous lost son, a police officer in love, a boy genius, an ex-boy genius, a game show host and an estranged daughter will each become part of a dazzling multiplicity of plots, but one story.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer: Paul Thomas Anderson, JoAnne Sellar
Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Production Co: Ghoulardi Film Company, New Line Cinema, Magnolia Project
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.5M
Runtime: 3h 8m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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